RCMP highlights Child Passenger Safety Week, Dartmouth, N.S.

In support of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 13-19), the Nova Scotia RCMP is reminding motorists about the importance of using booster seats and securing their child passengers with the proper restraint systems.

September 13-19 marks Child Passenger Safety Week, an initiative that is dedicated to the protection of children in vehicles. This year’s theme is focused specifically on booster seats and ensuring that children are properly secured with the proper restraint systems.

‘When children are not seated or buckled up properly, the potential for serious injury or even death is much greater when it comes to motor vehicle collisions’ says Nova Scotia RCMP Cst. Mark Skinner. ‘It is important that parents and guardians understand when and how to use these devices.’

In Nova Scotia, the following rules apply to children and car seats:

– Children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are a minimum of 22 pounds (10 kg) and until they are 1-years-old.

– Children between 22 pounds (10 kg) and 40 pounds (18 kg) must ride in a car seat, and the five-point harness straps should be used along with the top tether strap.

– Children must ride in a booster seat until they are a minimum of 4 feet, 9 inches (145 cm) tall, or until they are a minimum of 9-years-old.

If you have questions about booster seats, or need clarification on how or when you must use them when you have child passengers in your vehicle, please visit the IWK Child Safety Link website for more information:

http://childsafetylink.ca/child-passenger-safety/child-passenger-safety-week/

Source: Release